Fifteen NRL clubs are gearing up for the second match of the season, while the Wests Tigers will play their first NRL match since being awarded their second consecutive wooden spoon.
Unfortunately, several representatives are in doubt to play this weekend including Cameron Munster, Siosifa Talakai, Josh Addo-Carr and Mitchell Moses, among others.
Halfback Adam Reynolds is in doubt for the match against his former club but will more than likely be selected. If unavailable, Jock Madden is the obvious choice to replace him, but the club also have youngster Coby Black on their roster
Although he failed a HIA in Las Vegas, Brendan Piakura should be ready to go due to a long turnaround, while Xavier Willison should join the interchange bench after being replaced at the last minute for Round 1 in favour of Martin Taupau, per News Corp.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Xavier Willison
The Rabbitohs are not expected to make any major changes but could look to reshuffle their backline this week. After not being able to fly to Las Vegas, Izaac Thompson is expected to return to the team, replacing Richard Kennar.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jacob Gagai 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess
The left-side duo of Siosifa Talakai and Ronaldo Mulitalo both sustained minor ankle niggles last week but are expected to be fit to play. Talakai's great performance will keep Kayal Iro out of the team for another week.
Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele will again be absent this weekend as he recovers from injury, meaning Oregon Kaufusi will remain in the starting front row.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tom Hazleton
Star representative flyer Josh Addo-Carr may have been cleared of a major injury, but he will be absent for Round 2.
In his place, Connor Tracey and Bronson Xerri are both contending for his vacant backline spot, with Jacob Kiraz set to be pushed to the wing.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Connor Tracey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin
Hooker Mitch Kenny returns to the team this week after a one-week suspension, which will push Luke Sommeton out of the team.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Tyrone Peachey is also likely to return to the interchange bench after being a late omission due to injury and will be used as a utility. Although he was impressive in limited minutes, this will see Soni Luke move to the reserves.
Second-rower Scott Sorensen also pushes for a return to the side from injury. If selected, Luke Garner will move from the starting team to the interchange bench.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Luke Garner 17. Liam Henry
The Eels have confirmed that Mitchell Moses has been cleared to play in Round 2. However, if his condition changes, Daejarn Asi will join the team and play alongside Dylan Brown.
Morgan Harper played well in his club debut and will likely keep his spot on the team, with Maika Sivo still out with a suspension.
Although Brad Arthur revealed in the pre-season that he would only play one hooker, he decided to go with a one-two punch combination last week and will do the same this weekend.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Will Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Kelma Tuilagi
The Raiders will be given a major inclusion this week. Seb Kris returns from suspension and slots right into the centres. His return will see Albert Hopate move to the wing, with Nick Cotric making way.
Although he didn't excel in the club's opening game, it's hard to see Ricky Stuart drop Ethan Strange from the halves, but he may decide to go with recruit Kaeo Weekes.
It is understood that hooker Danny Levi is dealing with a quad injury but is expected to play against the Tigers, per News Corp. Zac Woolford will remain on standby.
Captain Elliott Whitehead will remain on the sidelines with a calf injury, while Zac Hosking will remain in the starting team. Expect Hohepa Puru to be brought onto the bench after an amazing NSW Cup performance.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Hohepa Puru
The Wests Tigers are set to unearth young gun Lachlan Galvin this weekend, but it is understood that if he is selected, he will be entering from the interchange bench.
The departure of David Nofoaluma has also created a vacant spot on the wing that former Panther Charlie Staines is likely to fill.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Justin Olam 4. Starford To'a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Lachlan Galvin 15. Alex Twal 16. Fonua Pole 17. Samuela Fainu
After a dominant win against The Dolphins, the Cowboys are not expected to make any changes for this week. Prop Thomas Mikaele is still pushing for a spot in the team and aism to be called-up in a few weeks.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
The Knights are forced to change their backline, with Enari Tuala ruled out with a quad injury. As reported by the Newcastle Herald,Tom Jenkins will replace him, while Jed Cartwright will join the team for Dylan Lucas.
Injured hooker Jayden Brailey is also pushing to return from injury, with Adam O'Brien confirming he will either be back in Round 2 or Round 3. If he returns this week, Jack Cogger will drop out of the team.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Jack Hetherington
Star playmaker Cameron Munster remains doubtful about returning after missing Round 1 with a groin injury, meaning Jonah Pezet will keep his spot in the halves.
However, in good news, prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is due back from a hamstring injury, per News Corp.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Joe Chan 12. Elisea Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Christian Welch 17. Chris Lewis
Hooker Wayde Egan sustained an elbow injury in Round 1 and didn't return to the field and was taken from it. Although his status has yet to be confirmed, he will more than likely not play with Freddy Lussick taking his place.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that Jacob Laban is in line to make his debut with Kurt Capewell (rib) and Marata Niukore (foot), both of whom are in doubt to play.
Veteran Jazz Tevaga is also pushing his case to be selected after an impressive NSW Cup performance in both attack and defence.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jacob Laban 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Bunty Afoa
Winger Jason Saab has been listed as unavailable and will miss around one month due to a hamstring injury. His absence creates a two-way race between Tommy Talau and Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega to take his spot.
Reuben Garrick also sustained an ankle injury but should be ready to play against the Roosters.
The Daily Telegraph has confirmed that Josh Schuster will return through the NSW Cup and won't play NRL this weekend.
Project Round 2 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown
While Siua Wong has been cleared from injury, Sitili Tupouniua will miss this week after sustaining a groin injury. His replacement will likely be Angus Crichton. Crichton will be placed on the interchange, pushing Nat Butcher to the starting team.
Centre Billy Smith will remain on the sidelines for another week, but Dominic Young is set to make his club debut after returning from a neck injury.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will also return and will be a direct replacement for Spencer Leniu, who has been suspended and will find out his punishment on Monday evening.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Manu 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Angus Crichton 17. Terrell May
The Dolphins suffered a double injury blow last weekend, with Connelly Lemuelu (knee) and Ray Stone (concussion) being ruled out of this week.
News Corp reports that Jarrod Wallace will enter the team via the bench as Kenneath Bromwich will move to the starting back-row.
After a disappointing loss to the Cowboys, Wayne Bennett is expected to make changes, with the key one being Jake Averillo entering the team at the expense of Tesi Niu.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4, Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Max Plath 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Euan Aitken 17. Mark Nicholls
After being a late omission from their Round 1 match, prop Blake Lawrie (rib) is a chance to return to the side. Luciano Leilua will also return after being handed down a suspension from the NRL.
Leilua's return will see him move straight into the back row, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner moving to the interchange bench.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Connor Muleisen 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Michael Molo 17. Tom Eisenhuth